SPORTING TROTTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 44, 14 May 1927, Page 9

SPORTING

TROTTING

(By

"ABAYDOS.")

NOTES AND COMMENTS FROM NEAR AND FAR PROVINCIAL GOSSIP Matters on the local tracks have been somewhat quiet during the week, most of those who were at Cambridge giving their charges a slight let-up. Others with a view to taking part at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting next month, are working quietly, preparatory to undergoing more serious duties presently. Attractive Programme The next fixture of local import will be the winter meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club, which is scheduled to take place on June 18 and 22. The programme is a very attractive one, and the sum of £6,700 will be distributed in prize money, while the Adams Memorial carries a handsome Gold Cup valued at 100 guineas in addition to the stake. The card has been drafted on a time limit basis that must appeal to owners and trainers throughout the Dominion, and when the nominations are collected on June 2, there should be a very heavy list. No Improvement Gratton Thorpe, who is always promising to do things in his races, again failed badly at Cambridge. He cut up rough at the start of the big race and lost ground when the signal was given. The son of Our Thorpe was produced again in the saddle event, with Sewell on deck, but he shaped no better. Geo. Phipps is now trying his hand with the disappointing pacer. A Non-Starter J. Lynch did not produce Antelope at Cambridge and it is evident the mare did not show the improvement anticipated to warrant her tackling the opposition. Antelope, who is by Great Audubon, from Penelope, is a half-sister to that good pacer Avenger, and if she turns out as good as the Harold Dillon gelding her connections will get a fair amount of money. Not Ringing True Aggie Bell has proved very costly to her connections since she led the field home at Gisborne last January. Aggie does not give the impression that she rings true when the colours are up, although in private she can show good results. Whatever the Gold Bell mare may be on the training ground Cameron has not got another Jean Darling —when it comes to racing. Repeating the Dose The Gold Bell mare Golden Park appears to put her best foot forward for the Cambridge meeting. Last year, when the fixture was held at Alexandra Park, Cunningham drove her into second place in the Leamington Handicap, a performance he repeated last Saturday, when the meeting was held on the country course. It is just about time the chestnut mare rewarded her connections with a first certificate. An Unlucky Mare Luvan’s defection from the Cambridge Cup acceptances was due to leg trouble, and she appears to be an unlucky mare. On two previous occasions when being prepared for the big two-mile event at country fixtures something has happened to keep the daughter of Lulu Boy from taking part in the contest. Trainer Julian hopes to have the speedy mare ready for the local June meeting, when most likely her mission will be the Adams Memorial Gold Cup. Nearly Succeeded Last year on the occasion of the Cambridge meeting at Alexandra Park Jack Shaw succeeded in getting Ben Lomond home after a good finish with Ruby Huon and Rua Pere in the finai heat. Jack was keen on repeating the performance this year, and last Saturday made a big effort to land the Farewell Handicap with Tui Zolock, and was only trimmed by a very narrow margin by A. Julian with Admiral Lock.

Good Tote Figures Considering the “hard times” outcry and the financial stringency existing, the Cambridge Trotting Club must be considered indeed fortunate in showing such a substantial totalisator turnover at its meeting last week. While clubs in other parts of the Dominion are recording decreases, very large in some cases, Cambridge improved on the 1925 figures to the extent of £5,817 10s. Under the circumstances prevailing in the land this was a remarkable performance. Off to Aussie One of the most popular light harness mentors in the Dominion, Jack Shaw, left yesterday by the Marama on a business trip to the Commonwealth. Jack has a good team in constant work, including Jewel Pointer, Amaris and Tui Zolock, and if he is successful in his mission, the string will be augmented by the addition of the New South Wales pacing horse, Western King.

Southern Jottings The improving and consistent trotting mare, Great Bell, by Great Audubon —Myrtle Bell, which won a race each day at Dunedin in attractive style, was taken to Christchurch at the conclusion of the fixture, and placed in C. Donald’s stable. The mare should make further progress at the square gaited business. Wide Awake The New Zealand Trotting Association at its recent meeting endorsed the disqualifications imposed by the West Australian Trotting Association, of which the following notification was given: H. C. Moran and Colt Canton, E. C. Gosper and mare Lulu Ribbons, C. F. Thomas and mare Alto Child, each two years, for not trying to win. Mr. Hayward, a member of the Dominion Association, remarked pertly, “Perhaps we could take a leaf out of their book, they seem to get on to these things.”

On the Warpath Leo Berkett, the Hope ownertrainer who is well-known to racegoers in this province, is keeping a few members of his big team up to the collar in view of a visit to Auckland next month. The Southern mentor has great hopes of getting Imprint back to his very best for the winter gathering, while Marshal Neil should be cherry ripe by the time the fixture eventuates. Both pacers have won races at the Park. A Stiff Task A recognition of Native Chief’s speed was shown by the fact that he started second favourite in the Farewell Handicap at Forbury, in which he would have required to go 2.7 1-5 to be upsides with the winner. Some say it was only a question of his leaving the mark to accomplish the stiff task, but as often happens with this speedy son of Logan Pointer, he was not in a record-breaking mood, and never gave his backers any encouragement to look for a return on their outlay.

Hard Luck It is said that J. Bryce cut out the second day at Forbury Park to drive a horse at the Amberley meeting, but when he returned home he found that the horse had been removed from his stable. In Bryce’s absence his son secured two seconds with the trotters Katute and Money Spider. Earning Her Oats The Royal Show executive include trotting races among the ring events at the big Easter attraction in Sydney. At the last show Lyndhurst secured second place in one of the events, and then was hurried away to contest the Encourage Handicap at Victoria Park. She was a good favourite and did not leave the issue in doubt. It takes a lot to tire a trotter.

A Meritorious Performance Author Jinks paced a great race in the Farewell Handicap at Forbury Pa.rk on Saturday, when he finished third in 2.12 3-5. The merit of the performance is enhanced by the fact that he travelled wide over the final half-mile, and would, of course, step a much faster gait if running near the rails. Author Jinks is only a three-year-old and promises to become a high-class horse next season (writes “Sentinel” in the Otago “Daily Times.”) Change of Venue For the Oamaru Trotting Club’s winter meeting, which will take place on May 21, the club has received a record entry. It is possible that the meeting may be held on the Oamaru Jockey Club’s course, in the event of the acceptances being very large. It seems almost certain that owners' intend visiting the meeting in strong force, and it may be found judicious for the club to race on the larger course, where all the contestants will have a better chance than being congested on the smaller track.

A Good Draw Card One of the most progressive notes ever struck by the Forbury Park Trotting Club consisted in placing a 2.15 class on its programme. The race attracted 13 starters, and a pool of £6,119 10s. When a horse reaches the 2.15 class his performances are fairly well known, and hence the public bets far more freely and with much keener interest than on large fields mostly made up of unknown quantities. The sporting public does not care to bet “in the dark.” Apart from that, however, it is pleasing to note that the club is catering well for high-class performers. Of course it goes without saying that it is the duty of metropolitan clubs to cater for the best, and the best method of doing so is to attract fields more notable for quality than mere quantity.

Stiff Fines Required Mr. W. F. Dunne’s work as starter for the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting which was held last week, was not good,, says a Southern sporting critic. The whole trouble lay in the fact that the starter has quite failed to gain the confidence of the riders and drivers, in addition to which he allows altogether too much liberty. When ordered to line up those controlling the horses do so in a casual sort of way, and then one and all commence a series of trying to get a move by keeping their horses turning round. In nearly every race last week horses were left, while others, anticipating the despatch, got away fast. Unless a decided improvement is made by the club’s officials, matters at the starting post will become chaotic.